ILFC to take 100 A320neo, scraps A380 deal

US lessor International Lease Finance (ILFC) is preparing to order 100 Airbus A320neo aircraft, including the A321 variant, and is cancelling its 10 Airbus A380s.

The lessor has also made the first engine selection for the twinjet, picking the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G powerplant for "at least" 60 of the aircraft, says Airbus.

ILFC has signed a memorandum of understanding covering the agreement, which comprises 75 A320neos and 25 A321neos. It is the first customer for the latter type.

In parallel with this order ILFC will terminate its purchase agreement for 10 A380s. "With 104 widebodies on order and fewer than a dozen single aisles it makes perfect sense to rebalance our order book and position ILFC strategically on the fuel-efficient Neo," says ILFC chief Henri Courpron.